House makes plea against wage hike

In a six-hour session on Tuesday, the House of Representatives were more preoccupied in adopting several resolutions, ranging from plea for relief from the economic crisis to an appeal to the U.S. Congress against proposal that will raise minimum wage level in the commonwealth.

Members only passed two bills, including appropriation of close to $23 million in capital improvement project funds.

While they are not legally binding, but mere expression of a position from the members, the lower house is hoping that they will not end up ignored by concerned parties.

In House Resolution 11-140, Rep. Manuel A. Tenorio expressed opposition against a resolution in Congress that will extend the federal minimum wage standards to the CNMI despite the local authority as set forth in the Covenant.

He warned the proposal would force many private employers on the island out of business, particularly in the two major industries of tourism and garment.

Tenorio reiterated the tourism sector, CNMI’s main economic backbone, would be severely hit by an increase in the minimum wage as hotels employ a large sector of basic wage earners.

According to local lawmakers, the Washington’s move is another attempt to pressure the island government to implement measures that will reform its labor and immigration policies — issues which have strained bilateral relations in recent years.

Tenorio maintained “local problems should be resolved by local solution” and the CNMI remains committed to undertake reforms while not jeopardizing the self-sustaining economy of the island.

He urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the adoption of the resolution which would make federal minimum wage provisions applicable to the commonwealth.

Meanwhile, House Vice Speaker Jesus T. Attao also filed a joint resolution asking the Lands and Natural Resources Sec. Jack Tenorio to slash by more than half the rate for Kagman commercial farm plots and to provide farmers relief for failing to pay their dues on time.

He said calamities, including at least 10 destructive typhoons that battered Saipan for two years, have severely damaged agricultural crops, making it difficult for Kagman farmers to meet their financial obligations to the DLNR.

The department should reduce its annual lease of commercial farm plots in the area from five cents to two cents per square meter for at least a year in an effort to assist local farmers in coping with the loss brought about events beyond their control, according to HJR 11-47.

Although the lower house passed only two bills, these resolutions were adopted:(see related story)

•H.R. 11-129, requesting the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist qualified veterans in the CNMI with access to VA health care services and professionals or make such services available through non-VA health care providers;

•H.R. 11-130, urging the governor to expedite construction of the new prison;

•H.R. 11-131, recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month;

•H.R. 11-134, repealing a House rule regarding reimbursement of community expenditures by representatives to clarify misinterpretation by the Finance secretary and the public auditor;

•H.R. 11-135, commending IT&E for its contribution to the welfare of the children in the CNMI;

•H.R. 11-136, requesting the Division of Public Lands to increase the time condition of occupancy for new homesteaders

•H.J.R. 11-45, asking the U.S. Congress to authorize for appropriation of $11 million annually to cover the costs incurred by the CNMI in providing educational, health and social services demanded by immigrants from the Freely Associated States; and

•H.J.R. 11-46, revising the FY 1998 budget package to reduce payment of the government obligations to the Pacific Island Development Bank to some $125,000 and to reprogram the balance for the NCSL fee of $39,000 and $10,700 to CSG.